Knots

by Chanse Lowell

  Oh, fuck, she didn’t care, because she was coming so hard, her head shut out all sounds, all thoughts. All she knew was this explosive force wending its way out of her asshole—high up inside, and the rhythmic pounding, tightening, and releasing of both her pussy and ass.

  Her head went fuzzy and buzzed as she went breathless through her screams of utter pleasure.

  “Hhhhhuuuuuuaaaaah hhhhhuuuuaaaah . . .” Was that grating, hoarse breathing coming out of her? It was rough—it was primal, and it was too high pitched to be Mark. When she opened her eyes, her chest was gasping for air, and it was most definitely her making these raw, ravaged sounds. “Ooooooohhhh God!” She couldn’t catch her breath.

  When she stopped reeling, her senses returned, and Mark was making the exact same sounds. High pitched wailing with stilted breaths.

  “Fuuuuuck, Jeanie . . .”

  When he let go of her lower back, her pubic bone throbbed a little. She melted into the floor.

  “Come like that when we get home, and I’ll keep you chained at my side at all times. Fucking hell—sweet thing. You were the most glorious creature ever!” He flipped her over, pulled her up into his arms, cradled her in his lap and he kissed and stroked her all over her face. Moments later, he kissed and massaged her entire body head to toe.

  Could she feel any more loved than this? It was a surreal experience after that shit at her parents’ home.

  Tears exploded out of her, and her chest heaved from the intensity of it all.

  He curled his body around her, rocked her and cooed, “That’s my girl. Get it all out. I love you, and you’re safe now. No one will ever treat you wrong ever again. I promise you that.”

  She nodded, kissed his chest with a weak, boneless neck and had never felt better about herself in her life.

  This was what it meant to have a family. This was what it meant to be whole and loved.

  “I love you,” she said and those broken, jagged tears, her chest caving in—it was all worth it. Because she knew what it meant now to be with the love of her life and to have a real—loving family.

  Chapter 17

  Two months later . . .

  Mark was sweating. It was a wonderful autumn day, and he was sweating like a stupid bastard.

  His stomach was crashing harder than choppy waves, even worse than when he’d entered the church three months ago for Pono’s funeral and knew Jeanie was a single woman—available for him.

  Jeanie smiled at him as she put her hair back into a braid.

  The sand was cool on his feet, and he stepped behind her, then zipped up her wet suit the rest of the way.

  “We should have done this as soon as we got back from Phoenix,” he said.

  “It’s fine. We’ll be warm enough, Master. You can quit fussing over me.” She finished securing her hair back and out of the way. He stroked her cheeks.

  God, she looked amazing in this suit. It was making him uncomfortably hard.

  His left fist knotted around the object in his hand.

  She reached inside the neckline of her suit and stroked her collar. “Is Jay on his way?”

  “Yes, and he’ll be here soon.” Mark gulped and stared into her sweet, soulful eyes. “You look beautiful.”

  “You always say that, Master. But thank you all the same. I’m sure I resemble a porpoise in this god-awful suit.”

  “You look fuckable as always, and you’re making me crazy.” It was now—had to happen before Jay arrived.

  He dropped to his left knee, opened his palm and presented it to her. “Jeanie, here at the beach, where you’re open and intoxicating as hell, I have to ask this—you’re already mine, wearing my collar, but I want more. I want you as my wife. Will you accept me as your husband, to love you ‘til the day you die and be there with you through everything?”

  She smiled and her eyes moistened, then twitched. “Is that even a question?” She bit her lip for a moment with watery eyes. “Of course I will, Master.”

  “And you’ll trust me to deal with the Finaus if they say this is too soon?”

  “Honestly, I don’t give a fuck. Yes, it’s only been three months since Pono passed away, but they already see how I can’t live without you. And why would I ever want to? Thank you, Master.” She dropped to her knees and gave him her hand when he motioned he wanted it with his fingers.

  He slipped the engagement ring on.

  “It’s a little big.”

  “I don’t care. I love it,” she said, blinking back tears and smiling bigger than he’d ever seen. Her cheeks were dimpling and so was her chin. God, could she be any more beautiful and radiant?

  “I’ll have it resized, and no wearing it in the ocean. It might fall off.”

  “Yes, Master.” She leaned in and kissed him, but kept her hands in his, even though he could tell she was dying to throw her arms around him.

  “If you don’t squeeze the shit out of me with those arms, I’ll be forced to spank you through your rubber suit, woman.”

  She chuckled, kissed him once more, then clung to him like he was her life preserver.

  “Better . . .” He nuzzled his nose into her pulled-back hair and whispered, “My wife. My lover. My Jeanie. Fuck, I love all that, and I’m harder than ever for you. Can we leave before Jay gets here and just tell him we forgot?”

  “No,” she said through a good-natured laugh. “Master—you never flake on anyone, and he’d know you were lying.”

  He sighed, pulled back, took her ring off—his as well—tucked them into their beach bag and startled when Jay yelled behind him.

  “She’s got you on your knees already?” Jay laughed and smacked Mark’s shoulder.

  “Always, my friend. Always . . .” Mark stood and helped Jeanie up.

  She beamed at him, and the little thing pinched his ass when Jay wasn’t watching.

  He pinched her ass back, harder than she had, then clasped her into his arms so hers were trapped. His kiss was bruising and possessive, but she gave in to him and melted at his body binding hers. “Mine!”

  “Yours, Master,” she whispered so Jay couldn’t hear. “This girl is the property of Mark Pierce.” She dropped her head back.

  Mark licked his way down to her collar, took it in his teeth, tugged with a growl, then released it and her.

  “Get your ass in the ocean before I devour you.”

  She jogged after Jay, already paddling out on his board.

  Mark was right behind her. Once in the waves, he fastened the board to his ankle and helped her on top of it, then took them out deep so they could catch the waves.

  Her skin glowed, her smile warmed his already frozen feet and he grinned.

  Nothing seemed to scare her anymore. This was the Jeanie he always knew lay inside her. The fearless woman with a heart bigger than the never-ending ocean.

  * * *

  Mark was vibrating his way out of his skin, his legs bouncing with energy and his hands clutching onto Jeanie anytime she was within grabbing distance.

  “All ready, Master.”

  He kissed her engagement ring.

  She picked up his hand and kissed his ring back.

  His dick twitched. Every. Damn. Time.

  He loved it when she did that.

  It made his heart tug hard.

  “Love you.” He kissed her and then roamed over to the guest room that used to be hers.

  It was back to the way it used to be.

  “Tempting me, Master?”

  He wiggled his ass at her and chuckled. “Always, little girl.”

  “When are you going to let me peek in there so I can see what you’ve done?”

  “Soon . . . Very soon.” He sighed and closed the door.

  “Fine. Be that way.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

  Oh, the brat. She knew they had guests due for arrival any moment.

  “At least tell me if it’s a playroom?” She arched her left brow at him with a hand on her hip.

  Intimidating? Not even
close.

  He tossed his head back and snorted. “I love your imagination.”

  “So, it’s not a playroom? Why’d you lock the door then?”

  “To keep you out until the timing’s right.”

  “It’s a playroom.” She nodded to herself.

  “You think so, huh?”

  “Yes, Master, I do.”

  “And you’ve seen for yourself?”

  She paled. “No! I would never. You said not to go in, and I haven’t, Sir.”

  She reverted back to calling him Sir whenever she was tense or flustered.

  “Relax. I was only teasing. Go tend to the kitchen. Our party will be starting soon.”

  She straightened her fairy wings.

  He fixed his pirate hat.

  She loved Halloween, so they were having a party. Or at least that was what he told her.

  “And you’re not going to tell me who you’ve invited?”

  “Nope.” He checked his phone. Someone was texting him.

  It was Marly.

  He shot her back a quick reply and grinned.

  “Master? C’mon! I’m dying!” His fairy was turning a lovely shade of pink as she fumed.

  “You’ll see soon enough. Patience, little one.”

  Knock, knock, knock, knock.

  Mark threw her a wicked grin and she huffed, then went into the kitchen to get the witch’s brew ready.

  “Hi, Mark!” Ashlen cried out and bolted into his arms as he dropped into a full squat to give her a hug.

  “Hi, cutie!” He picked her up and carried her into the kitchen.

  Jeanie’s expression went from blank to absolute shock. Her eyes were wider than the wings on her back, and her mouth formed an impressive oval. It looked like she was holding a high note, but nothing was coming out.

  He smirked.

  “Jeanie, this is Ashlen, one of my clients. I represent her.” He approached his girl with a tiny one in his hands.

  “She’s pretty,” Ashlen said, smiling.

  “She’s the most stunning fairy ever, isn’t she?” Mark stared at Jeanie.

  “Oh, is this your fiancé?” Lindsey asked, following right behind.

  “Nice to meet you,” Jeanie said, extending her hand to shake with the little munchkin, but he knew Ashlen wouldn’t allow that.

  Ashlen frowned and leaped into Jeanie’s arms. She patted her cheeks, then hugged her.

  Jeanie hugged her back and then when the girl wiggled to get down, Jeanie lowered her.

  “I want into the playroom!” Ashlen hopped at Mark’s feet.

  Jeanie’s eyes widened for a moment and her breath caught.

  “Toys, please!” Ashlen’s sweet voice carried well in the kitchen. “I want into the room.”

  Jeanie leaned in and whispered, “And I’ve changed my mind. I want a little fairy of our own.” She pulled back, smiled and her eyes welled up.

  His heart clenched and then thrust its way into his throat.

  Really? She wanted kids? What had changed? Was it that she was comfortable with him, and it didn’t sound so insurmountable? Was it that she’d had time to stop worrying about her fertility issues for a while?

  They stopped using condoms weeks ago, but as far as he knew, she hadn’t done anything to find out if anything had changed on her end.

  He gave her a tender-hearted smile back, reached for her hand and squeezed it.

  The doorbell rang, and he let go of her, then signaled for her to get it.

  He needed a moment to get his heart back behind his ribs.

  “Playroom!” Ashlen cried out again, yanking on his pants.

  He grinned at her and followed her over to the door.

  She knew where she was going.

  While he unlocked the playroom and let Ashlen in, three more kiddos entered their place and they were all rushing him as well. Some of them were trying to get on his back for a ride and others were tugging on his sleeve, asking if they could go play in the toy room as well.

  He led them all back there, but one of his favorite little guys, Jeremy, clung to his back, so he got a piggyback ride as Mark went back to check on Jeanie.

  She was meeting parents, serving them punch and being the perfect hostess.

  When she had a moment, he brought her, with Jeremy tagging along, into the playroom. “Not what you thought, huh?”

  “Uh, no . . .” She stared wide-eyed and breathless. “Is this what this room used to be before I moved in?”

  “Yeah. I work with children, and I used to have certain clients come here. It was a warmer, more inviting space than the office, so if I had a skittish kid, this was a better option. It felt like their own home, so it helped set them at ease.”

  “Wow,” she breathed, her eyes darting around the room. “You work with children? How did I not know this?”

  “Didn’t want to upset you when you were so fragile, but now I know you can handle it, so I’ll be bringing you into work with me occasionally so you can see how wonderful these little munchkins can be.” He grinned, and his stomach filled with butterflies over the thought of her being involved with every aspect of his life.

  “Our munchkin would be even more perfect,” she whispered and grabbed his hand tight.

  “Only because you’d be the mother,” he replied. Damn, his heart was swelling so much it was almost painful to breathe.

  He kissed her on the cheek and then wiped it away with the pad of his thumb as he cupped her jaw.

  “So beautiful.” He stared into her powder blue eyes.

  She laughed softly and then her attention went to the rambunctious children floating around the room.

  The kids were laughing in their cute little costumes.

  “Mark!” his mother called out.

  He turned around and greeted her. “Hi, Mom,” he said, taking his hands off Jeanie and hugging his mother.

  She hugged him back briefly, then all but shoved him aside and tackled Jeanie. “I’ve heard you have a ring with a diamond the size of a stray asteroid, creating craters with unheard of space. Let me see.” Mom grabbed Jeanie’s left hand and she smiled so hard, he actually heard her jaw’s rusty hinges squeak. “Perfect. At least he got that part right. Proposing at the beach? Who does that?”

  “My perfect Mark does, and it was magical. Exactly right for this plain girl.” Jeanie dropped her shoulders and her wings dipped with the motion.

  Mark stifled a chuckle when she snuck in referring to herself in third person and as “girl.” God, he’d love to smack her ass right now for being so naughty, chiding his mom that way without her even realizing it. A growl of ferocious need to pin her down and take her was building low in his gut.

  She looked like she might fly away as his mother continued to fawn all over her and the ring.

  The doorbell kept ringing and some of the other moms were letting guests inside.

  Jay’s roaring laugh carried, and Mark excused himself as his mother continued to dote on Jeanie.

  The woman was borderline obsessed with the prospect of a future daughter-in-law, calling him daily to ask when they were going to stop by and see her.

  He could see the words “Grandkids now!” etched into her lined brow.

  She never said anything about it, but he knew it was in her blood, bubbling right below her thick hide.

  “Hey, man!” Mark shook hands with Jay. Next, he hugged Marly, kissed Toloa’s cheek and helped Kueili bring in his two monstrous bags of sweets. He’d told him repeatedly that he and Jeanie had the treats covered for the kids, but they wouldn’t hear of it.

  When he opened the bag on the counter, there were dozens of candy apples inside.

  “You shouldn’t have,” he told Toloa, grinning.

  “Yeah, now you tell her that. I burned my hands several times dipping those stupid apples.” Marly rolled her eyes.

  “Well, as long as it didn’t break skin, I think it was worth it.” Jay laughed and grabbed an apple. He was chomping on it before anyone could
protest.

  “Marly, you’ll be in charge of music for the kids and dancing.” Mark pointed at the sound system, but when Jeanie reemerged from the tidal wave that was his overbearing mother, he pulled her next to him.

  She caught sight of the Finaus and her eyes exploded with several emotions—panic, fear, excitement.

  Right behind them, Rodney and Tia were entering his home and they quickly gathered around the small circle forming around Mark and Jeanie.

  Several seconds later, Apelu, his friend and the security guard at the office, entered, along with his brother.

  Mark knew exactly why Jeanie looked this way—alarmed and speechless. They hadn’t told any of them the news yet.

  For good reason. He figured in an environment like this, they’d be less likely to go ballistic on her. “I’m telling them right now. Relax.” He took her left hand and spun her ring with his finger inside her palm.

  She gulped. “We have something to tell you,” she started before he could even blink.

  Apparently, this was more of the kick-ass, brave Jeanie he adored.

  “Go on . . . You’ve already begun—tell them,” he whispered into her ear, leaning into her.

  “We’re getting married in three months,” she announced so loud that even the parents of the children he worked with were gasping and getting teary-eyed.

  Everyone was congratulating them, asking to see her engagement ring, and even Toloa hugged her.

  Kueili, however, stood back, studying Jeanie.

  Mark approached him. “I’m sorry. I realize I probably should’ve asked you permission since you’re her father now, but—”

  “Mark, you’re just as much my son as she is my daughter—I’m amazed you waited this long.” Kueili clapped him into an encompassing hug and when he pulled away, he was swiping tears of joy.

  “Thank you, Dad,” Mark said.

  He hadn’t ever spoken those words before.

  “If your father was still alive, he’d be so proud of you. You’ve found a terrific woman, and she’ll take good care of you. I know she will. You better do the same, or you’ll answer to me.” Kueili wore a stern look, his lips stretched thin.